Sleep problem: Can't get comfortable in bed

Why it happens

No matter how tired you are, getting – and staying – comfortable in bed may be one of the greatest challenges as your pregnancy progresses.

As early as your first trimester, pressure on your bladder from your growing uterus can send you scurrying to the bathroom more often than usual. (So might nausea.) Later in pregnancy, you may also suffer from indigestion or heartburn, or leg cramps.

You may be too anxious or excited to sleep. Or you may simply ache from carrying around extra weight or struggle to find comfortable support for your big belly. Once you do get comfy, a few well-placed kicks from your baby can easily wake you up.

In your third trimester, wearing a sleeping bra and a maternity belt can give extra support to your breasts, belly, and back.

Embrace pillows. Lie on your left side with your knees bent and put a pillow between your knees. Arrange other pillows under your belly and behind your back for extra comfort and support.

Regular pillows may work just fine for you, or try one of the many pillows that are made specifically for pregnant women. (Check pregnancy specialty stores and websites.) Some have Velcro tabs that attach two pillows to provide support in front and back. Some are C-shaped or U-shaped, while others are simply a long column that you can arrange however is most comfortable.

Pregnancy wedges are made to support your belly when you lie on your side, and you can also use them to prop yourself up to a semi-recline when you're lying on your back.

Many of these pillows also come in handy as nursing support after the baby arrives.

Use an egg-crate foam mattress pad. These aren't made specifically for pregnancy, but they may provide relief if lying on your side puts too much pressure on your hips. These foam pads go on top of your mattress and under the sheet and regular mattress pad for added comfort and air circulation, and they're available in a range of sizes.

Try an air mattress. Some moms-to-be find these comfortable.

Experiment with sleeping on various surfaces – the couch, a reclining chair, the bed in your spare bedroom – to determine what's most comfortable for you.

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